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Fernando Valenzuela, who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball passed away Tuesday night at the age of 63. Valenzuela not only starred for the team, but he also spent more than 20 years as the Spanish-language broadcaster. He had recently stepped away from his broadcasting duties to “focus on his health.”
Valenzuela started with the Dodgers in 1980 at 19 years old and won the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the strike-shortened 1981 season when he started 25 games and went 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA and 180 strikeouts. He would be the first player to ever win both awards in the same season. Valenzuela would go on to be a six-time All-Star in his career that ended as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997.
Valenzuela dies three days before the Dodgers get set to open the World Series against the New York Yankees. Major League Baseball has said Valenzuela will be honored during the series.
“Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “With his distinctive pitching style, the Dodgers left-hander’s rookie season generated so much excitement in the U.S. and his native Mexico that it became commonly referred to as ‘Fernandomania.’ His 1981 season ranks among the most decorated pitching years of all-time as Fernando was the National League Rookie of the Year, the NL Cy Young Award winner, a Silver Slugger and a World Series champion.
“Following his memorable career, Fernando was an outstanding ambassador for baseball. He consistently supported the growth of the game through the World Baseball Classic and at MLB events across his home country. As a member of the Dodger broadcasting team for more than 20 years, Fernando helped to reach a new generation of fans and cultivate their love of the game. Fernando will remain a beloved figure in Dodger history and a special source of pride for Latino fans he inspired.
“We will honor Fernando’s memory during the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Fernando’s family, the Dodgers, his friends across the game, and all the loyal baseball fans of Mexico.”
Stan Kasten, president & CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers added, “On behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando. He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes. He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Linda and his family.”
